Anardana refers to the dried and ground seeds of the pomegranate. The name anardana is a Persian portmanteau. Anar translates to pomegranate and dana means seed. Anardana goes by different names depending on where in India you find it. Indians who speak Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu all refer to dried and ground pomegranate seeds and […]

Burdock root is native to Europe and Asia, but you can find it growing in North America as well. Like dandelion and echinacea, the burdock plant belongs to the Asteraceae family. The burdock plant most likely made its way to the New World via its tendency to attach itself to clothing. It has hook-like prickles […]

Borage comes from the Mediterranean region but grows all over the world today. It belongs to the same family as forget-me-nots. The Ancient Greeks are known to have used borage. Some historians believe that borage is the herb that Homer refers to as nepenthe. Polidamma, the Egyptian queen is recorded as having given a borage […]

Guajillo powder is made up of ground guajillo chilies, which are another popular variety of Mexican chili pepper. As with other Mexican chilies like the ancho pepper, the fresh form of the guajillo has a different name. When fresh, the guajillo chilies used to make guajillo powder are called mirasol peppers. Mirasol means looking at […]

Daikon radish seeds come from the daikon plant, which is a winter radish with a mild flavor. Its name translates from the Japanese for big root. Most of the world’s daikon supply is cultivated in Japan and is consumed there as well, though the root vegetable is eaten all over Asia. Historians believe that daikon […]

While fennel pollen’s name may seem self-explanatory, there is more to it than the fact that it is the product of flowering fennel plants. For example, fennel pollen is collected from wild fennel plants and this collection is performed by hand. Fennel pollen is mostly foraged rather than cultivated, though you may be able to […]

Coconut flour is a great alternative to wheat flour if you are trying to avoid gluten or just want a more nutritious option. Coconut flour offers a lot more in terms of fiber and other nutrients, but it is not without its drawbacks. For example, it will require increasing the proportion of eggs and other […]

Stevia is a natural sweetener extracted from the Stevia rebaudiana plant. It is many times sweeter than sugar without the health problems that sugar consumption can cause. Try one of the stevia substitutes below if you can’t find stevia in your local supermarket, would rather not use it or don’t have time to go shopping.

Korintje cinnamon is a variety of cassia cinnamon. Because the names cassia and cinnamon are used interchangeably, it is easy to confuse them. To make matters even more complicated, korintje cinnamon is sometimes called by other names as well. For example, it is sometimes called Padang cassia. The name refers to Cinnamomum burmannii, which is […]

Most herbs and spices offer a multitude of health benefits as a result of the nutrients they contain. Though one of the most sought after benefits doesn’t focus on what you gain, instead it focuses on what you lose. Yes, certain herbs and spices can help you lose weight. The mechanism of weight loss can […]

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SPICEOGRAPHY

Spices liven up our favorite foods, but what do you really know about them? What's their flavor profile, the regional cuisines they influence, or their origin stories? SPICEography seasons your knowledge so that you can better appreciate and use these common kitchen flavors.